I only want to control volume with a voltage control. Is there a simple IC that will do just this?

(Just on/off switching would be ok as well if it had some x crossing click protection built in)

What the others are saying is true about the SSM and THAT chips but if you're skeptical of a serial controlled chip like the PGA2310 there's lots of help available on Pics, Intel MCS51 family and may favorites Freescale 68HC08 family.

Microcontrollers can add all sorts of 'smarts' from remote control to power on mute sequencing. For those who really like 'pots' you can use shaft encoders as inputs. I use an 8 bit micro in the TV PC to shut it down after 6 hours. It's 'smart' enough to ping the power switch (via relay) and wait 2 minutes and force the power switch if for some reason it didn't go peacefully.

I only want to control volume with a voltage control. Is there a simple IC that will do just this?

AD603 sounds just great to my ears, very simple to use. None of the SQ problems of the other types (VCAs, CMOS opamps).

__________________“A new scientific truth does not triumph by convincing its opponents ... but rather because its opponents eventually die, and a new generation grows up that is familiar with it.” - Max Planck

AD603 sounds just great to my ears, very simple to use. None of the SQ problems of the other types (VCAs, CMOS opamps).

It's a fine chip. I used them in the font end on the optical pickups in a high def film to video (telecine) running them up to 30 MHz. Down side is they only have 40 dB control range and are limited to a few Volts p-p. Not much headroom for audio work. AIUI the chips were intended for variable gain IF amplifiers.

Subjectively there's no problem at all as post amplifier after I/V conversion with passive resistor in my DAC. I had been concerned about LF noise for your mentioned reasons, but it does well enough - most CDs are noisier.

__________________“A new scientific truth does not triumph by convincing its opponents ... but rather because its opponents eventually die, and a new generation grows up that is familiar with it.” - Max Planck